Yes it is basically a remake of The Big Chill, but different in the sense that these people are younger than those characters. Not only that, the actors look even younger than they are supposed to be.
Well, another depiction of Godless millennials who don't believe in anything, and fall apart due to the petty, neurotic emptiness of their lives. But movie people write about what they know, so don't be surprised.
Having said that, the physical setting is beautiful, the acting is genuine and snappy, and the suicide theme is not milked too hard.
Also, it does not have an obnoxious Greatest Hits of an era soundtrack like that other movie had. Thankfully.
They could have created more original, complex, and nuanced characters than these cliched ones. But I guess they wanted to keep it light.
No one manufactures anything or fixes anything. They all work in service and money related professions. No one served in the military or speaks of volunteer work or religion, although one gal works at a suicide prevention center. Although they were too self-absorbed to notice the warning signs that their friend was in trouble, they were caring enough to show up to support him later. The worst mistake of the script was not giving us a bit more back story on why our attempted suicide guy was so unhappy.
Review of About Alex
